Lafayette Studios photographs: 1920s decade, 1926-1929

Author

Christian Trombetta and Jessica Powell under the supervision of Jason Flahardy;

machine-readable finding aid created by Jason Flahardy and Digital Library

Services staff

Title

Lafayette Studios photographs: 1920s decade

Date

1926-1929

Repository

University of Kentucky Special Collections

Arrangement

The collection is arranged by Lafayette Studios-assigned invoice number, listed in
the guide as the item number for each image. The numbers are in a rough
chronological order. Multiple images in an invoice group are represented by the
invoice number, followed by an alphabetical qualifier: a, b, c, etc. The numbers are
not contiguous and the many gaps in the collection represent missing invoice/work
orders. University of Kentucky Archives has no information on the content or fate of
the missing invoice groups. Most invoice groups (represented as whole numbers)
contain more than one image.

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation Note

96PA101: [identification of item], Collection on Lafayette Studios, University of
Kentucky Archives.

Extent

55 items

Biography/History

Robert J. "Bob" Long and his wife, Ida Nelson Long, opened Lafayette Studios in 1923,
operating it out of the New Johns Building at 108 Walnut Street (now Martin Luther
King Boulevard) in Lexington, Kentucky. Bob and Ida Long already had a few years
experience in still and moving image photography and Bob Long worked as a
projectionist at the newly opened Kentucky Theatre on East Main Street. In 1925,
they expanded their business and moved the studio space to 311 West Main Street. By
the early 1930s, the Longs bought out their main competitor, Starman Studios. Around
this time, Bob Long left his job at the Kentucky Theatre and focused on building
Lafayette Studios into Lexington's most successful photographic studio. In the late
1930s, the Longs moved again, this time to the Starman Studio space, at 301 West
Main Street. By 1941, they moved again, settling into 141-143 North Limestone; it
was to be the studio's home until 1984. In 1959, the Longs sold Lafayette Studios to
Chester Wainscott and Goy Goforth and retired. After 1962, Wainscott became the sole
owner and operator until the studio closed in 1985 at its final location of 111
South Limestone.

Scope and Content

This finding aid lists the 1920s images produced by Lafayette Studios (55 items;
dated 1940-1949). The Lafayette Studios photographs consists of 17,269 photographic
negatives (52.0 cubic feet, 115 boxes) in the 8x10, 5x7, and 4x5 formats and both
nitrate and acetate base materials are present. Scenes of commercial real estate in
downtown Lexington predominate, but civil and social groups are represented, as well
as photographic orders filled at the request of private individuals that cover a
wide array of subject matter.

Subjects

Lexington (Ky.)

Lexington (Ky.)--Social life and customs--Pictorial
works.

Historic buildings--Kentucky--Lexington.

Lexington (Ky.)--History--Pictorial works.

User Restrictions

All rights to the photographs, including but not restricted to legal title,
copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of
Kentucky Archives. Photographs may be reproduced with permission from Audio-Visual
Archives, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Related Material

See also other guides to additional decades of Lafayette Studios photographs.

Home Economics Classroom, 1929-04-25

Purcell, J.D. Company; exterior, window; 326, 327,328,329, 330
West Main Street; plaque reads: "Upon this site stood Lexington
Fort, 1780; and later the market house in which convened the first
Legislature of Kentucky, June 4, 1792.", 1929-05-08

Dixie Antique Shop; marble, griffin legged table, 1929-08-10

Kentucky Coach Company; fair tents, 1929-08-23

Texaco; Thompson Road, Old Frankfort Pike, 1929-09-07

Kentucky Club Ginger Ale truck parked in front of stores on the
side of East Main; John G. Epping Bottling Works; Thorpe's
Tailoring Department, Keith's Bar and Chop House; Question Mark
Cafe, 133 East Main Street, 1929-09-28